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“O humankind! We created you from a single pair of male and female persons and made you into nations and tribes that you might come to know each other.” Qur’an 49:13

“O God, You Have created this, I, you, we, they, to play the game of adoration with Yourself.” (Rumi)

As the Qur’an makes clear, there is a divine reason for the marvelous diversity in humanity. It is that we may come to know each other better, to be able to connect in life-giving ways with our fellow human beings, and learn to appreciate them as manifestations of God. . .

“Be just; this is closest to being God-Conscious.” ~ Qur’an 5:8
“Behold! God enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and generosity towards one’s fellow beings.” ~ Qur’an 16:90
“When an orphan cries, the throne of God shakes.” ~ Hadith of Prophet Mohammad
God’s command for justice here on earth is no small matter. Although God is the final judge of all affairs, we as human beings are also called to be just in our dealings with each other. . .

“Be just; this is closest to being God-Conscious.” ~ (Qur’an 5:8)
“With life as short as a half-taken breath, don’t plant anything but love.” ~Rumi

The Qur’an describes the Day of Judgment as the day when all human beings are resurrected to face God and to be held accountable for their good and bad deeds. Similar to biblical accounts, the Qur’an describes this day with vivid imagery.

“Be just; this is closest to being God-Conscious.” (Qur’an 5:8)
“When an orphan cries, the throne of God shakes.” ~ Hadith of Prophet Mohammad

Justice is a central theme in the Qur’an. As vice-regents of God we asked to “stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor…” (4:135). It’s a tall order!

“Pray in the small watches of the morning.”(Qur’an 17:79)
“No one knows what makes the soul wake up so happy; maybe a dawn breeze has blown the veil from the Face of God.” (Rumi)
There is a mysterious power in the early hours of the morning, just before the sun rises, when the entire world seems to be at rest and silent. This is when God is said to be waiting patiently to hear from his supplicants, but so few seem to be speaking to Him at that time. . .

“Pray in the small watches of the morning.”(Qur’an 17:79)
“No one knows what makes the soul wake up so happy; maybe a dawn breeze has blown the veil from the Face of God.” (Rumi)
The salat or body prayer is the “center pole” of the tent of faith, because of how it unveils our inner idols and connects us with the Divine. Prayer is like a spiritual shower that washes the dirt of forgetfulness from the spirit. . .

“Pray in the small watches of the morning.”(Qur’an 17:79)
“No one knows what makes the soul wake up so happy; maybe a dawn breeze has blown the veil from the Face of God.” (Rumi)

It is said that in the early hours of the morning, the veils between the visible and invisible worlds are at their thinnest. During this time, you can sense the pulsating of angelic activity.

“Allah has caused faith to be dear to you and has made it beautiful within your hearts.” (Qur’an 49:7-8)
Allah says: “Take one step towards Me and I will take ten steps towards you; walk towards Me and I will run towards you.” (Hadith)

Faith can be likened to a seed that Allah has planted deep within the heart of each and every one of us. We cannot create Faith, only Allah can create it. . .

“Allah has caused faith to be dear to you and has made it beautiful within your hearts.” (Qur’an 49:7-8)
Allah says: “Take one step towards Me and I will take ten steps towards you; walk towards Me and I will run towards you.” (Hadith)

Faith is not something we have to obtain or earn, but rather it is a journey of unveiling what we have already been given by God.

“Allah has caused faith to be dear to you and has made it beautiful within your hearts.” (Qur’an 49:7-8)
Allah says: “Take one step towards Me and I will take ten steps towards you; walk towards Me and I will run towards you.” (Hadith)

The Qur’an suggests that it takes time and patience for faith to grow inside of us. Taking a metaphor from nature, Sufis say that only in stages does the crescent moon grow into fullness. . .